Here is the checklist that I have used to fly to and fro Canada. Best viewed
with a fixed width font.

YMMV - check the procedure for yourself as things may have changed in the last
year.

Cell phones in Canada may or may not work. Always have a land line back up
plan.

======================
From U.S. into Canada:

1. File a flight plan with U.S. FSS at 1-800-WX-Brief (1-800-992-7433)

* File ONLY for the border-crossing leg.

* Ask about your border-crossing squawk-code. This code will
probably not be available until you take off and open your flight
plan, but ask them anyway. DO NOT CROSS THE BORDER WITHOUT
SQUAWKING THIS CODE.

2. Contact Canadian Customs at 1-888-CAN-PASS (1-888-226-7277) at least two
hours and no more than 24 hours before arrival

* When you first phone and they ask you a bunch of questions, you
are actually making a CUSTOMS DECLARATION. Be sure to ask them for
their name, station, and the declaration report number. They will
not offer this information unless you ask, but it may come in handy
for the next step.

3. Take off, and IMMEDIATELY open your flight plan with the U.S. FSS.

* The FSS operator will give you a border-crossing squawk-code.
If they do not - ASK!

4. Set your border-crossing squawk-code.

5. If possible, close your flight plan when you have the Airport Of Entry
(AOE) in sight.

* Canadian FSS frequency is 126.7
* Canadian FSS Kamloops 1-866-WX-Brief (1-866-992-7433)

6. Land at the AOE and taxi to Canadian Customs

* If your flight plan is still open, ask the tower if they can
close it for you. If not: call Canadian FSS Kamloops
1-866-WX-Brief (1-866-992-7433).

* Call 1-888-CAN-PASS (1-888-226-7277) and inform them of your
arrival.

* Get your Customs Report Number from the agent(s). Write it down!

* If you are continuing your flight, then ground control or the
control tower of the AOE will assign your in-country squawk-code.
Do not take-off without an in-country squawk-code.


=====================
From Canada into U.S.

1. File your flight plan with Canadian FSS Kamloops 1-866-WX-BRIEF
(1-866-992-7433). Land lines may be necessary.

* File ONLY for the border-crossing leg.

Ask about your border-crossing squawk-code. You probably can't
get this squawk code from this facility so see #3 below. DO NOT
CROSS THE BORDER WITHOUT SQUAWKING THIS CODE.

2. Contact U.S. Customs at your chosen AOE and make an appointment.

* Bellingham : 1-360-734-5463

* Do not be more than 15 minutes early or late. Update your
arrival time by contacting an FSS, either by phone or radio.

3. Set your border-crossing squawk-code.

* If you haven't gotten your border-crossing squawk-code call
Canadian ATC IFR Flight Planning at 1-888-987-2633 and request
one. Even if you are flying VFR.

4. Take off, and IMMEDIATELY open your flight plan if necessary. Canadian
flight plans seem to assume takeoff times, and will be opened automatically.

5. If possible, close your flight plan when you have the AOE in sight.

* U.S. FSS for Bellingham frequency is 122.15

6. Land at your AOE (Airport of Entry) and taxi to U.S. Customs

* If your flight plan is still open, ask the tower if they can
close it for you. If not, close it by FSS radio or call
1-800-WX-Brief (1-800-992-7433) and close it.

* If you are more than 15 minutes late or early, gingerly call
local U.S. Customs:

* Bellingham : 1-360-734-5463